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Editorial: Shipshape in the Southside

The new Coffee Bluff Marina also has a fishing pier. Eric Curl/Savannah Morning News

Savannahians who appreciate living on the coast — an estimated 99 percent of the area’s population — should cheer last Friday’s dedication of the Coffee Bluff Marina.

This city-owned amenity, which was at least six years in the making, almost didn’t happen. The property’s previous owner wanted to build expensive, private homes on this choice piece of property that fronts the Forest River at the end of Coffee Bluff Road.

Instead, there’s a public fishing pier there today. And expanded floating docks. A new boat hoist. A children’s playground and picnic shelter. A kayak launch. A new marina store. Parking improvements.

What might have been a barrier to the water on the city’s southside is a welcoming gateway that all citizens can use.

But it didn’t happen overnight. Financing was complicated. The city bought the property for $1.5 million in 2008, then shifted money around in its tighter-than-anticipated SPLOST budget to help bring it to completion. Construction costs added up to about $4.4 million, after $485,458 in modifications for additional riprap and longer pilings in that turbulent stretch of the river.

Delays also forced the city to pay additional compensation to the contracted marina operator Ray Golden, who had planned to be back in business much sooner.

But for today, that’s water under the bridge. The marina is up and running. And while school may be back in session for many, there’s plenty of time left (at least on weekends) for families and others to enjoy it.

A large crowd of local residents joined elected officials and city staff last Friday at the marina’s official ribbon cutting and dedication.

“This marina brings the community together and offers something for everyone, whether it’s taking a boat out on the water, children playing, or people who just want a beautiful place to watch the sun set,” said Southside Alderman Tony Thomas, who has championed this project from day one.

He’s right. Indeed, if not for Mr. Thomas (and former City Manager Michael Brown, another key supporter), average citizens would be largely blocked from access to the water in that part of the community. Today, they can enjoy it for themselves.

Such recreational amenities also do more than raise the quality of life. It helps bring people together. A community that plays together has a better chance of staying together.